Paul Ignatius Harris

Paul Ignatius Harris, 74, Atchison, Kansas died Monday, February 27, 2023, at his residence with his wife and 4 children at his side.

Con-Celebrated Mass of Christian burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 3, 2023, at St. Benedict Church with Rev. Jeremy Heppler, OSB as celebrant. A parish rosary will begin at 10:00 a.m. prior to the Mass. The family will receive friends on Thursday evening, March 2 ^nd from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. at the Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home. Paul will be laid to rest in Mt. Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be left to St. Benedict Parish ( St. Benedict Parish, Atchison, KS (stbenedictatchison.org) , St. Benedict Catholic School ( Powered by Blackbaud ), Maur Hill-Mount Academy ( Donate - Maur Hill - Mount Academy (mh-ma.com) , or St. Benedict's Abbey ( Donate — St. Benedict's Abbey (kansasmonks.org) . Paul has been cremated under the care and direction of the Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home.

Paul was born June 7, 1948, in Spalding, Nebraska, the son of Charles Joseph and Frances Mary (Curran) Harris.  He attended St. Benedict's elementary school in Atchison and then Maur Hill Prep School where he graduated in 1966.  He continued his education at St. Benedict's College (now Benedictine College) in Atchison, KS graduating in 1970.

Paul and Mary Kay Sittenauer were united in marriage on June 7, 1969, at St. Benedict's Catholic Church in Atchison, Kansas.

Paul worked at Atchison Hospital while attending college, taught Mathematics for 1 semester at Benedictine College after his graduation, and then began working in construction where he eventually owned and operated Harris Construction from 1977 until 2022 in Atchison. He served with the Army National Guard from 1970 until 1976.

Paul was a social man known for helping people out, especially the Church and his children on house projects. He was a hard worker who spent his time raising tobacco on his farm and woodworking including designing and building the home where he and his wife have resided.  He was an active member of St. Benedict Parish. He was formerly a member of Knights of Columbus Council #723, the St. Benedict Parish Council, and the Fleming-Jackson-Seever Post #6 of the American Legion and was a scout master of Troop #53 of the Boy Scouts. He was an active worker and supporter of the Forest of Friendship where he spent many summers installing the stones in the walkway.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Kay Harris, Atchison, KS; a daughter, Sarah (Charlie) Peitsch, Atchison, KS; three sons, Jeff Harris, Westwood, KS; Brian (Marla) Harris, Atchison, KS; David (Jackie) Harris, Atchison, KS; two sisters, Anne Harris, Grand Island, NE; Mary Christensen, Lincoln, NE; two brothers, Michael Harris, Atchison, KS; Edward Harris, Duluth, GA; thirteen grandchildren; two great grandchildren and one on the way.

Paul was preceded in death by a sister, Patricia Ballor; two brothers, Jack Harris and Jim Harris.